EXTRA...

Cape Catholic raise $4.3m; Cape cop pleads innocent; 2 faces of the MA GOP; No foul play in Ptown death; Conn. man is new Eastham PD Chief; Wareham is NOT Cape Cod; Ted shows effect of chemo; Islander held on rape charge

TODAY's quotes: "Simply remarkable."
               - Catholic Spring Appeal director Mike Donly on the near-record donations.
"I am a populist type of Republican, and I think that I speak for the people that have to pay the taxes." - Christy Mihos, GOP candidate for governor.

What effect with Ted Kennedy's health have on Barack Obama's Health Bill?

Senator Kennedy is shown here leaving the Hyannis Port Yacht Club yesterday with his wife Vicki (on left) and their two Portuguese Water Dogs for an afternoon of sailing on the Mya. The large black hat he is wearing is due to the effects of his recent treatment for brain cancer which includes chemotherapy. (Photo by David G. Curran)

According to this week's TIME magazine; ... Democrats will have to decide in the coming weeks whether they are willing to go it alone on health reform or whether they will continue to negotiate with Republicans for a bill that would likely be less expensive and contain far less of a role for government in the health-care system. The chief tool Democrats have for ramming through a bill on their own is something known, incongruously enough, as "reconciliation." It is a parliamentary procedure that protects budget-related measures from a filibuster. (There's yet another possibility: Democratic leader  Harry Reid might put the pressure on his own caucus by simply calling for a vote and demanding that all 60 support blocking a filibuster, even if they don't ultimately vote for the bill. This strategy, however, would assume that Ted Kennedy and Robert Byrd - both of whom have been absent in recent months due to serious health problems - could make it to the chamber for a vote)...
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    The 2 faces of the Mass. GOP

  Charlie Baker vs Christy Mihos
Before running against Gov. Patrick, Charlie Baker, on left above, will have to defeat Cape Cod businessman Christy Mihos on the right above, who says they really appeal to two very different kinds of Republicans.
   "Certainly, I am not an institutional or an insider Republican. That is not going to be debatable at all," Mihos said in a telephone interview.
   "I am a populist type of Republican, and I think that I speak for the people that have to pay the taxes."
   In 2006, Mihos angered many Republicans when he left to run for governor as an independent candidate. Recently, he has been trying to mend fences with the party. He recently wrote a $10,000 check to balance the books of the state party committee... (lower 1/3 of story) WBUR.

Cape police officer pleads not guilty to assault
Victim had a relationship with Sandwich officer Byrne's wife

A Sandwich police officer accused of beating a man so severely he required 37 stitches to his face has pleaded not guilty. Officer Dennis Byrne pleaded not guilty to assault and battery with a dangerous weapon at his arraignment Wednesday in Barnstable District Court.

The Cape Cod Times reported that according to police reports, Byrne has a history of threatening the alleged victim, who has a relationship with Byrne's wife. The alleged incident occurred on June 17 when the 38-year-old Byrne went to the other man's home... TV-10.
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Cape Catholics raise nearly $4.3M during a recession

The recession hasn't dampened the generosity of Roman Catholics on Cape Cod and the South Coast. The Diocese of Fall River's annual spring appeal has raised nearly $4.3 million, the third highest in the 68-year history of the appeal, and just about $26,000 less than the record collected two years ago.

Bishop George Coleman said in a statement that area Catholics have shown "a spirit of sacrifice and a true desire to share" during difficult financial times. Appeal director Mike Donly called the amount "simply remarkable"... Globe.
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Today's Reality Check
Wareham is NOT part of Cape Cod

Cape Cod is a geographically distinct region, a collection of 15 towns in Barnstable County, and Wareham is not one of those 15 towns, no matter how hard it wishes it were.
   Wareham is part of Plymouth County. The closest it comes to being part of Cape Cod is the fact it is part of the Second Plymouth District, which overlaps with Bourne, and its self-proclaimed status as the "gateway to Cape Cod." Wareham's major export is Geena Davis.
   The management concedes this is a very petty gripe, but as a native Cape Codder from a long line of Cape and Island natives, I'm genetically predisposed toward putting Wareham in its place... Mike Bailey's blog in the Falmouth Enterprise.

Police: No foul play in Provincetown death

Police believe no foul play occurred in the death of a New Hampshire man on a nature tour last night in the Cape Cod National Seashore, reports the Cape Cod Times. Stephen Mitchell, 64, of Antrim, New Hampshire, collapsed from a medical condition while on a guided tour in the Seashore, said Provincetown police Sgt. James Golden.

A rescue call was made to police at about 10:55 p.m. for an apparent death, said Golden and Provincetown fire Chief Michael Trovato at the scene last night... Herald.
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Kulhawik calls it quits to take 'dream' job in Eastham

Chief Edward Kulhawik - who's been with the Wilton CT Police Department for more than 25 years - will retire next month.  First Selectman William Brennan announced the chief's decision at the Board of Selectmen meeting Tuesday night.

Rape suspect held on $30k bail

A Jamaican painting contractor was arrested for the alleged rape of a 17-year-old girl on July 4 and is being held on $30,000 bail. Alfred Bartley, 37, of 17 Teasdale Circle, pleaded innocent Wednesday in Nantucket District Court to charges of rape, unarmed burglary and assault, and indecent assault and battery on a person over 14... Inquirer & Mirror.

Chief Kulhawik started with the Wilton police in 1981 as a patrol officer. He then rose through the ranks of the department and was named chief in 2004, becoming the fourth chief in Wilton's history.

"His performance in every position was outstanding and his conscientious and courteous service to Wilton's citizens was always at the highest professional standards," Mr. Brennan said. "As chief of the police department, he set admirable achievement goals for himself and his department, built strong morale and pride through the organization, and treated everyone fairly."

Chief Kulhawik - whose last day is Aug. 14 - said that while he's retiring from Wilton, he'll be assuming the role as the chief of Eastham, Mass., a resort community on Cape Cod... Wilton Bulletin.